Swarms of the dinner-plate-size invasive Australian Spotted Jellyfish have been reported from East Texas to Florida in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic coastlines of Florida and South Carolina. These creatures present a major threat to the shrimp fishery. Readers will be introduced to the concepts of invasive species and challenged to think critically about the cause, effect, and control of dangerous creatures.

This two-volume set provides a one-stop resource on invasive plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms that are threatening native ecosystems, agriculture, economies, and human health in the United States. Kudzu vine and field bindweed. Eurasian collared-doves, Burmese pythons, and black rats. The northern snakehead and the gypsy moth. All of these are examples of invasive species that have taken over or are threatening certain ecosystems—places where these organisms never naturally occurred. This two-volume work contains 168 entries on plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms that are invasive in the United States, providing a complete examination of the variety of organisms, pathways, distribution patterns, and impacts of non-native species introduced to this country. Encyclopedia of Invasive Species: From Africanized Honey Bees to Zebra Mussels begins with a background essay that illuminates the complexities of dealing with invasive animals and plants. Each entry provides information on the origins and invasion history of the species in question as well as a general description of the biology and ecology of each organism. Impacts—actual and potential, as well as management strategies—are addressed. Every species is depicted via photographs as well as maps that show its place of origin and invaded regions in the United States. This unique work presents fascinating scientific information as well as valuable insights about how seemingly minor events can drastically alter our environment.

An introduction to these bizarre and beautiful creatures of the sea, filled with color photos and illustrations: “Fascinating.”—Boing Boing Jellyfish are the oldest multi-organed life form on the planet, having inhabited the ocean for more than five hundred million years. With their undulating umbrella-shaped bells and sprawling tentacles, they are compelling and gorgeous, strange and dangerous. In many places they’re also vastly increasing in number, and these population blooms may be an ominous indicator of the rising temperatures and toxicity of the oceans. Jellyfish presents these aquarium favorites in all their glory. Fifty unique species, from the purple people eater to black sea nettles, are presented in stunning photos along with the most current scientific information on their anatomy, history, distribution, position in the water, and environmental status. Foremost jellyfish expert Lisa-ann Gershwin provides an insightful look at the natural history and biology of each of these spellbinding creatures, plus a timely take on their place in the rapidly changing and deteriorating condition of the oceans. Learn about immortal jellyfish who live and die and live again—as well as those who camouflage themselves amid sea grasses and shells, hiding in plain sight. Discover the jellyfish that’s the world’s most venomous animal, and the jellyfish that helped scientists win the Nobel Prize. They’re all here and more in this delightful volume. “A thorough coverage of jellyfish history, biology and ecology. Gershwin, a marine biologist who has discovered over 200 new species of jellyfish, does an excellent job of combining a compelling narrative of 50 different jellyfish with luscious, I-can’t-believe-they’re-real photos.”—Boing Boing

Seas and oceans cover 71 % of the earth’s surface and they are home to 80% of all life found on the planet . Among the different components of marine life, the phylum Cnidaria (formerly Coelenterata) has been reported to be responsible for more envenomations than any other marine phylum. It is believed that 2% of its known 11000 species are venomous to humans. Incidents caused by jellyfish are common all around the globe, with serious manifestations and occasional deaths reported in some countries. The Australian box jellyfish, Chironex fleckeri , has been reported to be very dangerous to humans, as contact with its tentacles can provoke immediate cardiovascular collapse and death within minutes. Though other volumes on venomous marine fauna are available, this is the first comprehensive book focusing on venomous marine cnidarians. It is a valuable text-cum-reference resource for researchers, teachers and students of various disciplines, including fisheries science, marine biotechnology and marine biology and for university and college libraries. It is also a useful guide for beachgoers, divers, physicians and environmentalists.

Discusses why the jellyfish population has exploded in recent years and why their dominance is indicative of a declining ocean ecosystem.

A photographic guide to the common plants and animals that inhabit the intertidal zone--the area covered by water at high tide and exposed during low tide--on the Atlantic coast from Cape Canaveral, Florida, to Cape Breton, Canada.